Game Twenty-Five: Cubs (14-10) vs. Pirates (7-20)
Game Time – 1:20pm C.T. on WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Angel Guzman (0-0, 5.40) vs. Zach Duke (1-2, 4.50)
The Youth Movement makes another start for the Cubs today against the Pirates and Zach Duke. Duke is 3-0 lifetime against the Cubs, including a win back on April 15 against the Cubbies, and the Cubs are 3-6 against left-handers this season. The Cubs only managed 1 run against Duke on 6 hits in 7 innings back on April 15th. Duke is the best starter in the Pirates rotation and had another quality start against the Cardinals his last time out. Angel Guzman goes for the Cubs and looks to get his first Major League victory after a very good outing in his debut. Guzman had a quality start his last time out as well, against the Marlins, and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings. Guzman needs to build on his last outing and the Cubs have to win this game and the home stand. A win today would give the Cubs a 5-3 record on this home stand and would make the long plane ride to Arizona a little easier. The Central Division is beating each other up to start the month of May and a win by the Cubs will move them up in the standings.
The key to today’s game is the management and in-game decisions. The Cubs have been miserable this season against lefties and only managed 2 runs over 2 games against Chris Capuano and Doug Davis. Dusty needs to step out of the box and try something new today….don’t run out the same line-up and expect different results….mix it up. What about Restovich at first base? Maybe Aramis Ramirez in the 3-hole? What about Ronny Cedeno in the leadoff spot?
The Cubs are showing with all of the roster moves that losing on the Northside of Chicago will not be tolerated this season, so mix it up a little against a pitcher this organization has never defeated.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….